Due to the record-breaking heat and humidity this August, what I hoped would be a one-weekend effort turned into a three-weekend slog. On the plus side, I’m confident that our Coleman Mach 8 Cub air conditioner can take whatever we throw at it. If it grew any hotter, we’d be traveling somewhere colder if we had the option.
The propane lines are this week’s er, month’s effort.
Propane will power our eventual kitchen range, water heater, and refrigerator.
In the future, we may use a generator or a grill that can be set up to run on our RV propane.
Before I build the bathroom interior, I want to get the gas lines placed and tested because I’ll have much better access to the back of the water heater before I build the shower wall behind it.
Outside of the coach, propane lines must be run.
If there was a leak, it would be far better for it to leak outdoors rather than build up within until it found an ignition source.
Running propane lines uncovered along the bottom of the coach would seem unsafe.
I imagine a stray rock puncturing a propane line and producing a Michael Bay-style highway explosion.
The truth is, you’d merely get a bunch of cold gas if something caused a catastrophic leak from the propane lines outside the bus.
The system functions at a relatively low pressure.
The two-stage regulator keeps a pressure of roughly 11 inches water column, or about 0.4 PSI, at all times.
By exerting pressure to an open tube with your finger, you may simply stop the flow of gas.
In the event of a catastrophic leak, the regulator features a fail safe that limits the flow of gas.
The true hazard is gas accumulating in a confined space.
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For the trunk, I used 1/2″ tubing and for the branches, I used 3/8″ tubing.
Those links led to 50′ lengths, which was more than enough for the job with some left over.
25′ of either would have been insufficient.
The tube I chose is made specifically for gas and has a protective plastic coating.
The plastic finish is great, but it isn’t necessary.
It’s critical that the tubing be rated for gas, as some off-the-shelf tubing isn’t.
For propane lines, what kind of pipe do you use?
- Black pipes are tough and long-lasting. Black steel pipes, black iron pipes, and black malleable pipes are some of the other names for them.
- Natural and propane gas is transported from the street or a tank to the home using this device.
- It’s available in lengths ranging from 2 inches to 10 feet, with diameters ranging from 1/4 inch to 2 inches.
Is it possible to use Flex line for propane?
This Propane Flex Line (Stainless Steel Flexible Gas Connector) has been factory leak tested and is suitable for usage both indoors and out. Great for propane gas stoves, outdoor barbecues, dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, and any other application that requires a flexible propane connection.
Is it possible to use air Quick Connect with propane?
They perform admirably. You can use air connectors, but it’s much better to use “propane” connectors to avoid an accident caused by connecting the wrong thing. Yes, they function perfectly.
What is the finest propane gas line to use?
The service plumbing, also known as the yard line, is the gas line that travels between the tank and the structure that houses the gas appliances. Copper tubing or plastic polyethylene piping are commonly used in propane yard lines. For the entire exterior section of the installation to be safe and serviceable, the service piping must be installed appropriately and legally in conjunction with the propane tank.
The visible portion of the yard line is where it emerges from the ground adjacent to the tank, as well as where it enters the structure or links to a source of usage, such as a generator or pool heater. For any section of a propane gas service line, only certified materials and fittings should be utilized. PVC, rubber hose, and flex lines are prohibited and should not be utilized in any component of the gas service line.
Is it possible to utilize black iron pipe to transport propane?
Running black iron pipe for propane use may appear to be a difficult process, and you will pay a professional to complete it. The truth is that this is a great do-it-yourself project if you have the necessary tools and some basic pipe fitting knowledge.
This can be done in an afternoon depending on how much pipe needs to be installed, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in installation fees.
Why are gas lines made of black iron pipe?
The two most prevalent types of pipe used to convey liquid and gas are black steel pipe fittings and galvanized steel pipe fittings. Although both black steel pipe and galvanized pipe are constructed of steel, galvanized pipe has a zinc coating and black pipe does not. As a result, galvanized pipe is more resistant to corrosion. Because black steel pipe erodes more rapidly than galvanized pipe during transit, it is better suited to transferring gas, while galvanized pipe is more suited to conveying water.
Galvanized pipe fittings are coated with a coating of zinc, which increases their corrosion resistance and helps to prevent mineral deposits from clogging the pipe. Galvanized pipe is mostly used to transport water to homes and businesses; but, due of its rust resistance, it can also be utilized as scaffolding frameworks.
Because of the material’s ability to resist corrosion and salt, galvanized pipe fittings are employed in a variety of outdoor and industrial applications. With the exception of underground lines, galvanized pipe and fittings can be utilized in most applications. They operate best with cold water lines, although they can also be used with hot. When opposed to black and copper fittings, the key advantage of employing galvanized fittings is their better rust resistance. With gas applications, galvanized pipe fittings should not be utilized.
Connections to black iron pipe are made with black pipe fittings (black malleable iron fittings). In residential applications, black iron pipe is used to deliver natural and propane gas.
Because black steel pipe is created as a seamless product, it is a superior choice for gas transmission and fire sprinkler systems than galvanized pipe. Due to its strong heat resistance and resistance to water damage, black iron pipe is commonly used in fire sprinkler systems and water supply lines. It’s named black steel pipe because of the dark hue it has on the surface, which is caused by iron oxide during the production process.
The surface difference between steel and galvanized pipe is the most significant. Because black steel pipe is uncoated and manufactured without steam, it is extensively utilized to transmit gas such as propane and natural gas to homes and businesses.
Because zinc is present on the surface of galvanized pipe, the mineral will flake off over time and clog the pipe. There will be a burst as a result of this. As a result, transporting gas through galvanized pipes is hazardous, hence it is frequently used to transport water.
On the other side, black steel pipe is not appropriate for water transport. Black steel pipes corrode with water, and the minerals in the pipe dissolve in the water, clogging the line.
Is it possible to utilize PEX for a gas line?
PEX pipe is not the same as PE piping, and the two are frequently confused. Polyethylene, or PE, is a flexible plastic polymer that is ideal for piping in wells and other cold-water supply lines.
PEX stands for polyethylene that has been cross-linked. It’s made of polyethylene, a material with a stronger link between the polymer chains that make it up. PEX is now suited for both hot and cold water applications as a result of this advancement. It can also be utilized in some gas applications, depending on the building code.
PEX and PE are more flexible and have a significantly greater pressure rating than typical gas lines, thus they suit those requirements. They are, however, made of a soft material that could be damaged by nails, rodents, and other objects. As a result, in your location, either may not be permitted for use as a residential gas line. Even when the utility provider is able to install it, plumbers and homeowners are not always able to.
